Control for generators



P 1931- 7R. P. LANSING 1,799,853

CONTROL FOR GENERATORS Filed Oct. 28. 1927 g o I. I a Y P Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND P. LANSING, OF MONTCLAIB, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ECLIPSE MA- CHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CONTROL FOB GENERATORS Application filed October 28, 1927. Serial No. 229,493.

This invention relates to electrical apparatus, and more particularly to a multi-current generator.

It is an object of this invention to pro- 5 vide novel means for controlling the electrical output of a multi-current generator.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling the electrical output from both of the commutators of 10 a double wound armature generator, said means being associated with the output from one of the commutators only.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means to control the high and low voltages of a double wound armature generator, of the'direct current, shunt field type, said-means including apparatus for controlling the current delivered from, or the load in circuit with, one of the commutators of the generator.

Another object of this invention is to control the high voltage of a double wound armature generator having a common shunt field winding by controlling the voltage and current, or load, of the low voltage side of the machine.

A further object is to provide means whereby a double wound armature generator may be employed to simultaneously supply current to the plate and filament circuits of an electron tube radio set and to a circuit including a varying load, such as a battery and lamps.

Another object is to provide means whereby a double wound armature generator, which is adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine, may be employed to supply the necessary current for the plate and filament circuits of alradio transmitter, and to simultaneously provide current for charging a battery, the apparatus being particularly adapted for use in-aeroplanes.

Another object is to provide means for use in combination with a generator of the delivered from one of the commutators of the same is available for battery charging purposes when the generator is not employed to supply current to the radio set.

A further object is to provide novel means above character whereby the entire energy.

for automatically throwing the load control out of circuit with the generator when it is desiredto employ the latter for other purposes than that of supplying power to the radio set.

A further object is to provide a common unit for controlling the load and the throwout therefor on the low voltage end of the generator. I

A still further object is to provide a method for controlling the high voltage output of a double wound armature generator, which method includes controlling the current output from the low voltage side of the machine. i v

The above and other objects will appear more fully hereafter in the detailed description of the invention which may be embodied in a number of electro-mechanical forms, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one:1 embodiment of the present invention; an

Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views illustrating other embodiments of the invention which are particularly adapted for use in combination with radio apparatus.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the invention embodies a double wound armature generator of the direct current type. Preferably, the generator is a four pole machine having an armature drum carrying two separate windings and a commutator at each end thereof, the windings being such that a high voltage is delivered by one commutator, and a low voltage by the other. The low voltage armature winding and commutator are diagrammatically indicated at 4 and the corresponding parts of the high voltage end at 5. A shunt winding 6 is employed for excitatiofi of the field that is common to both armature windings. The low voltage end'4 of the generator is adapted to supply current to a constant load, represented by leads 7, 7 and variable resistance 8, and the high voltage end 5 is adapted to supply current to a constant load circuit 9, 9, 10. The armature shaft 11 of the generator is adapted to be driven by any suitable source of power, such as an internal combustion engine.

In order that a variation in speed of the armature shaft will not result in a change in the voltage delivered by the high and low ends of the generator, a circuit interrupting voltage regulator 12 of any suitable type is provided in circuit with the shunt field winding 6. The two loads, represented by resistances 8 and 10, will not vary when once adjusted, but it is desirable to employ the low voltage end 4 of the generator to supply a circuit including a variable load, such as a battery 13. As is well understood in the art, the current in a load circuit which includes a battery to. be charged varies in accordance with the state of charge of the battery. .Any increase in the flow of current from the low voltage endof the generator to the battery, however, would result in an increase in' the current in the field winding 6. Under these conditions the voltage of the low voltage end of the generator would remain constant, due to the ac tion of regulator 12, but that delivered by the high voltage end of the generator would increase. Accordingly, means are provided in the battery circuit, which includes leads 14, 15 in shunt with the mains 7, 7, for insuring that the current delivered to battery 13 will be maintained constant, regardless of the state of charge of said battery, and hence the hlgh voltage generated will be maintained constant. I

In the form shown, said control means is constituted by a current regulator comprising a pair of contacts 16, 17, the contact 16 being carried on a pivoted arm 18 and being nor'mally maintained in engagement with contact 17 by means of a spring 19. Contact 16 is in circuit with lead 14, as indicated at 20, through the arm 18 and a suitablebonnection. In parallel with the contacts 16, 17 is a control resistance 21. -Anelectromagnet 22 is positioned adjacent pivoted arm 18 and is adapted to oppose the action of spring 19; the coil for said electroinagnet being in circuit with lead 14. A resistance 23 may be provided in circuit with contact .17 and in .parallel with resistance 21, if desired, to reduce the amount of current flowing through contacts 16 and 17 when the latter are closed. The lamp circuit 24 may be provided in parallel with battery 13 if desired. 5

In operation, the high voltage end of the generator delivers, for example, 400 volts to the circuit which includes the constant load 10. The low voltage end of the generator delivers, for example, 2 amperes at.15 volts maintain contacts 16, 17 closed when this cu'rrent is being delivered to the battery 13.

If the speed of rotation of armature shaft ll'increases, increase in the field current due to said change of speed is prevented by the voltage regulator 12, and hence any change in the voltages delivered by the generator is prevented. Any change inthe current delivered by the low voltage end through conductors 14 and 15, such for example as that resulting from a change in the state of charge of battery 13, is prevented by the action of electromagnet 22 which becomes operative, upon an increase in current beyond a predetermined amount (twoamperes), to swing arm 18 against the tension of spring 19 and break the contacts 16 and 17. The additional resistance 21 thus thrown into the circuit 14, 13, 15 will reduce the flow of current in said circuit, whereupon spring 19 acts to again close the contacts, the movement of arm 18 being a vibratory one during the operation of the generator. A variation in load 13 is thus ineffective to produce a change in theexcitation of-field 6 and the voltage delivered by the high voltage end of the-generator will' accordingly be maintained constant. The voltages delivered from the 'opposite ends of the generator are'thus maintained constant at all times by regulator 12 and the current regulator, which latter maintains the load on the low voltage end of the generator substantially constant.

In the embodiment of the inventionshown in Fig. 2 the double wound armature generator 4, 5 is adapted to supply a constant voltage' of 400 volts, for example, to the plate circuit of a radio set, such as a radio trans mitter, which circuit, in order to simplify the drawings, is represented by the resistance 25. The low voltage end of the generator isadapted to supply 4 amperes, for example, to the filaments 26 of the radio set,and is also adapted to supply 2 amperes at 15 volts for charging the storage battery 13.

The load imposed on the generator by the plate and filament circuits of the transmitter current delivered to the variable load concurrent for the radio transmitting set of the type employed in aeroplanes, the generator being adapted to be driven by the aeroplane motor, either directly or through suitable gearing. When thus employed, it is desirable to provide means whereby the full power of the low voltage end of the generator may be employed to charge battery 13 when the radio set is not in operation, and under these conditions any change in the voltage of the high voltage end of the generator is not objectionable. To this end means are provided for short-circuiting the current regulator, provided in the lead 14 to the battery, when the radio set is not in use.

In the form shown, said means is con stituted by a pair of spring-closed contacts 27, 28 which are adapted to be opened by an electroniagnet. The contacts are shunted around the current regulator by means of leads 29 and30. The coil 31 of the electrolnagnet is in circuit with the filament- -c'ircuit of the transmitter and its operation is controlled by means of switches 32, 32a, inserted in the filament and plate circuits and having a common operating member, employed for throwing into or out of operation the radio set.

When the radio transmitter is in use, switches 32, 32a are closed and contacts 27 and 28 are opened by electromagnet 31. The

current regulator is then effective to control the flow of current to the battery, thereby preventing any change in the excitation of the field due to changes in the current output of the low voltage, and controlling the voltage outputs of the high-and low ends of the generator. The speed of the generator may vary from approximately 1800 revolutions per minute to 4000 revolutions per minute, due to the varying speed of the aeroplane motor but any change in voltage resulting from such a change in speed is controlled by the voltage regulator 12. Switches 32, 32a may be conveniently located in the cockpit of the aeroplane and when the operator opens this switch to discontinue the use of the trans-' mitter, contacts 27 and 28 will be automatically closed by their associated spring, wheretrated in Fig. 3, the generator 4, 5 is adapted to supply constant high and low voltages to two circuits, such as the plate and filament circuits of a radio set, and the low voltage end of the generator is also adapted to supply current for charging a battery, the entire output of the low voltage end being available for charging battery 13- when the radio set is not in use. As shown, a current regulator is provided which embodies an electromagnet having a double winding for controlling the flow of current to battery 13.

One coil 33 of the electromagnet, which is preferably provided with a laminated core 34,

is in series with the lead 14 and contacts 16, 17. The other coil 35 of the electromagnet has one of it's ends connected to the lead 14, 33 intermediate coil 33 and contacts 16, 17 and the opposite end of coil 35 leads through a switch 36 to the filament circuit of the radio set. The flow of current through the coils 33, 35 due to the circuit connections oi the same is in opposite directions and accordingly thesecoils are reversely wound in order ifzlhat they may coact to produce the desired ux. I

If it is desired to supply 10 amperes to the filament circuit and 3 amperes to the battery 13 when the radio set is in use, and to supply 23 amperes to theload constituted by battery 13 and lamps 24 when the radio set has been disconnected by throwing switches 36, 36a, in the plate and filament circuits andpreferably having a common operating member, spring 19 is adjusted so that the contacts 16, 17 are just closed when the flux in the electromagnet is equivalent to that produced by 23 amperes. lVhen switches 36, 36a are open, 23 amperes will flow through lead 14, coil 33 and contacts 16, 17 to the battery 13. Any increase in this current causes the electromagnet to 'open contacts 16, 17 thereby throwing into circuit the resistance 21, and properly controllingthe current delivered by the low voltage end of the generator. When switches 36, 36a are closed to place the radio set in operatiomaflow of 13 amperes through coil 33 produces aflux in the electromagnet equivalent to that produced when 23 amperes are flowing through coil 33 and switches 36, 36a are open. results from the fact that 10 amperes are now flowing through coil 35 to the filament circuit and the flux produced by this coil is added to that produced by the 13 amperes flowing through coil 33. Any increases above a flow This of 13 amperse in coil 33 will thus result in contacts 16, 17 being opened.

There is thus provided novel means for controlling the Voltage outputs of the commutators of a double wound armature generator, said means being associated with the low voltage end of the generator. The invention is particularly adapted for use in combination with a radio transmitting set of the type employed in aeroplanes, as it avoids the objections now inherent in the use of a wind driven generator for this purpose.

Means are also provided whereby the two voltages supplied by the generator, are maintained constant regardless-of a change in speed of thedriving motor and regardless of the degree of charge of the battery. By this invent on the full power of the low voltage end of the generator is available for charging the battery when the radio setis not in use. The use of switches 32, 32a and electromagnet 31 permits the operator to automatically connect or disconnect the current regulator whereby the voltage delivered to the plate and filament circuits of the set is maintained constant, or the full power of the low voltage end of the generator is available for charging the battery.

Various changes may be made in the electromechanical features of the invention.

For example, it may be desirable to provide member, and various other changes may be made, as will nowbe apparent to those skilled inthe art. It is to be, expressly understood that this invention is not limited to the use of an armature having two windings only, nor is it limited to the use of a four pole machinehaving a shunt field winding, since any suitable number of poles may be employed, and the field winding maybe of any suitable type, such for example as a compound field winding. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a generator delivering high and low voltages since saidvoltages may have any desired relative value. Reference will therefore be had tothe appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. In combination with a multi-wound armature generator, a circuit including means constituting a variable load for receiving current generated in one of the windings of said armature, a circuit constituting a fixed load for receiving current generated in another of the windings of said armature, and means connected to said first namedcircuit for main- -ta'inin the voltages in each ofsaid circuitsconnected to said first named circuit for main-' taining the voltages in each of said circuits constant irrespective of a change in the speed of rotation of said-armature, and means in said first named circuit for maintalning the flow of current therein substantially constant irrespective of the value ofsaid load.

tively connected to one of said windings, a. circuit constituting a fixed load operatively connected to another of said windings, and

means formaintaining the voltages in said circuits substantially constant, said means including a voltage regulator in circuit with said field winding and a current regulator operatively connected to said first named circuit.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a multi-current generator having a plurality of armature windings, a field winding for.

said generator, a constant load circuit for receiving current from one of said armature windings, a variable load circuit for receiving current from another of said armature Y windings, and means including vibratory apparatus operatively connected to said variable load circuit for maintaining the voltages named circuit for controlling the flow of current therein.

6. In combination with a double wound armature generator of the shunt field type and provided with two commutators, a circuit including means constitutiong a variable load for receiving current from one of said commutators, a circuit-constituting a fixed load for the other of said commutators, and means connected to said first named circuit for maintaining the voltages delivered by each of said commutators .at a substantially constant value.

7. In combination with a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators, a variable load in circuit with the low voltage commutator, a constant load circuit operatively connected to said high voltage commutator, and means for maintaining the voltages delivered by each of said commutato'rs at a substantially constant value, saidvmeans including apparatus for controlling the load in circuit with the low voltage commutator.

8. In combination with a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and lowpvoltages from two commutators, a constant load circuit for receiving current from one of said commutators, a constant load circuit for receiving current from the other of said commutators, a variable load circuit operatively connected to one of said commutators,. and means including a current regulator in said variable load circuit for maintaining the voltages delivered by said generator at a substantially constant value.

9. In combination with a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators,

radio circuits including a filament circuit and a plate circuit, means operatively connecting said filament circuit to the low voltage commutator, means operatively connecting said plate circuit to the high voltage commutator, a circuit including a battery operatively connected to the low voltage commutator, and means including a current regulator operatively connected to said low voltage commutator for maintaining the voltages delivered by the generator at a substantially constant value regardless of a change in speed of rotation of said armature.

10. In combination with a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two, commutators, radio apparatus including a plate circuit and a filament circuit, means operatively connect-' ing said plate circuit to said high voltage commutator, means operatively connecting said filament circuit to said low voltage commutator, a battery, current control means operatively connecting said battery with said low voltage commutator, and means for rendering said current control means inoperative, whereby the entire energy delivered from said low voltage commutator is available for charging said battery.

11. In combination with a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators, radio circuits including plate and filament circuits, means operatively connecting said a plate circuit to the high voltage commutator, means operatively connecting the filament circuit to be low voltage commutator, a battery adapted to be charged by current from said low voltage commutator and operatively connected to the same, means for controlling the flow of current to said battery, and means for simultaneously disconnecting said filamerit circuit and said current control means said for whereby the entire power delivered b low voltage commutator is availab e charging said battery.

12. In combination with a double current generator for supplying direct current at high and low voltages, constant load circuits for the high and low voltage ends of the generator, a variable load circuit for the low voltage end of said generator, means including a current regulator for maintaining the voltages delivered by said generator at a substantially constantvalue, and means including an electromagnet for rendering said current regulator inefl'ective.

13. In combination with a double current generator for delivering high and low voltages, constant load circuits for the high andlow voltage ends of said generator, a variable load circuit for the low voltage end of the generator, load control means in said variable load'circuit, means for rendering said load control means ineffective, and means for controlling the load control means and said last named means.

14. A method for controlling a multi-current generator having a plurality of armature windings, one of which is adapted to deliver current to a variable load circuit, which consists in controlling the voltages delivered by a plurality of said windings by controlling the voltage and current in said variable load circuit.

15. A method for controlling the high voltage output of a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators, which includes controlling the high voltage output of the generator by controlling the current output from the low voltage commutator.

16. In combination, a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and lowvoltages from two commutators, a shunt field winding for said generator, a voltage vcontrol regulator in said shunt field winding, a radio plate circuit operatively connected to said high voltage commutator, a radio filament circuit operatively connected to said low voltage commutator, a variable load circuit operatively connected to said low voltage commutator, and current control means for controlling the supply of current to said variable load circuit.

17 In combination, a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver direct current at high and low voltages from two comvmutators, a shunt "field winding for said gendouble wound armature generator adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine and adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators, a shunt field winding for said generator, voltage control means in circuit with said field winding, constant load circuits operatively connected to each' of said commutators, a variable load circuit operatively connected to said low? voltage commutator, current control means for controlling the flow of current in said variable load circuit, and means including switch mechanism for simultaneously 'discon" nectingsaidoonstant load circuits from the 19. In combination with a double wound I armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages from two commutators, a

plate circuit operatively connected to said high voltage commutator, a filament circuit adapted to receive current from said low voltage commutator, a circuit including a battery adapted to receive current from said low voltage commutator, and current control means for controlling the flow of current to said battery including an electromagnet comprisinga pair of oppositely wound coils.

20. In apparatus of the class described, a double wound armature generator adapted to deliver high and low voltages,ia constant load circuit for the high voltage end of said generator, a variable load circuit adapted to receive current from the low voltage end of said generator, and means including a double coil electromagnet and a high resistance for controlling the flow of current to said variable load circuit whereby thehigh and low voltages delivered by said generator are maintained substantially constant.

In testimony whereof I have signed-this specification.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

